The elements of Soviet foreign policy

Abstract

There is no simple explanation for Soviet behaviour in world affairs. The Russians have fervently advocated the most contradictory goals, formenting revolutionary change and at the same time promoting peace and good-neighbourly relations. Several theories have been propounded as explanations of Soviet foreign policy. In general we may distinguish two main categories: 1. Balance of Power: The Soviet Union conducts itself as a national sovereign state seeking by every means to preserve or increase its national interests. 2. Ideology: Marxist-Leninist ideology has pre- determined Soviet foreign policy objectives; the establishment of world communism. Each of these categories can be supported by evidences drawn from the history of Soviet foreign policy since 1917. At the same time a clear distinction between national interest and ideology as determi- nants of Soviet foreign policy does not exist. National interest and ideological considerations have always co-existed in Soviet foreign policy calculations. National interest motives often dominated the latter, but ideology always remained the source of the Soviet view of the rest of the world.